War of words over Badenoch and Strathspey's second home users during lockdown
Controversy continues over the number of second homes allegedly being used in the strath during the pandemic lockdown, with one local national park board member "absolutely raging" and calling for more action to discourage it.
Social media posts have adopted opposing positions since the lockdown began and there have been appeals on some for contributors to moderate their language as temperatures have risen over the 'outsiders' and 'newbies' reportedly in the area.
But Cairngorms National Park board member John Kirk, who lives in Nethy Bridge, told the Strathy that not enough was being done.
He commented: "I'm absolutely raging that fines are not being imposed on people who are deliberately flouting the lockdown guidance and moving up here to take up residence in their second homes.
"There should be £2,500 fines to deter people from placing at risk the locals who are dutifully staying put in their own homes.
"It's only going to take someone from outside the area with the symptoms using a local shop to threaten a whole community."
The Strathy has received several calls from residents to highlight the alleged use of second homes and one local Highland councillor pointed out: "I am hearing more and more about second home owners occupying homes in Insh, Drumguish, Carrbridge, Nethy, Boat of Garten."
Green Party member Pippa Hadley, at Kingussie, said: "I'm being told that people are ensconced, many of them with extended family staying, and no intention of leaving.
"I have flagged this up to John Finnie, who has flagged it to MSPs Kate Forbes and Fergus Ewing. I have also forwarded that correspondence to the police."
Mr Finnie told his fellow MSPs: "We have a united front in ensuring that all government advice is followed in full as, if that’s the case, then issues like this won’t happen. Clearly, second home ownership exists across Scotland and I wonder if some further Scottish Government messaging, along the lines Fergus issued in respect of ‘campervans’ is possible as I’m sure the press will pick up."
Councillor Hadley told the Strathy: "That was over a week ago and little seems to have changed.
"The furore around the Chief Medical Officer travelling 45 miles caused her to resign, with all the value she has to the country at present – while those who have the privilege to afford part-time houses here are sometimes just staying put.
"On social media I have noted the first time someone recommending phoning the police and reporting them. Is that now the action to be taken, with occupation of second/holiday homes?
"I know this is everywhere, as one of our local CNPA board members has reported it happening in Nethy/Carrbridge too."
Others on social media have gone so far as to advocate "nailing the doors" of second home users.
At the same time, there have been calls to calm things down and look at the bigger picture.
One posting on Aviemore Community Issues Forum said: "After reading comments on here, some rather nasty and uncalled for, regarding 'tourists/strangers' in the village, I would just like to mention my own personal observations: it wasn’t until last night, whilst applauding NHS and key workers, that I realised one of my neighbours had kids, another who I always thought to be single has a partner.
"As so many people are not working just now maybe these are the 'newbies' everyone is seeing, they are now shopping locally instead of doing the Tesco run whilst working in Inverness etc.
"Maybe or maybe not, but I think some people need to rein it in a bit and stop with the scathing comments."
The forum is currently voting on how the site should be handled. It has been suggested that the administrator might effectively 'censor' some of the more extremely worded posts: "Should the group be set so that all posts have to be approved on the page?"
The administrator continues: "Or do you prefer the more open approach we have at the moment? Personally I do not like Admins interfering all the time - people are better self policing themselves. I will let the poll run till Monday morning then change group settings if required."
The controversy also rages over use of the countryside at this critical time in the lockdown.
Responding to a statement by Roseanna Cunningham, cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and land reform, on access rights, Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates said: “It’s important for good physical and mental wellbeing that people have access to their local countryside during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"However, our members who own farmland and estates are contacting us on a daily basis with concerns about the number of people using the countryside with apparent disregard for the health of farm and estate workers and the safety of young calves and lambs and their mothers.
"Our members are having to erect new signs as a result of this to remind people of their responsibilities.
“Key workers such as farmers working hard to deliver healthy local food should not have to worry about members of the public infringing on their personal space during this crisis.
"People should ensure they always keep at least two meters away from others.
"Another huge concern is people taking dogs into fields with young livestock – this should be avoided. If the farm animals become distressed, or a young lamb is mauled by a dog, this can have a devastating impact on the mother, young animal and the farmer.
“We want everyone – the public, farm and estate workers and animals to be able to enjoy our beautiful local countryside during the pandemic, but people need to understand the importance of keeping their dogs on a lead around farm animals, never going into fields with young calves or lambs in and giving a wide berth to our hardworking key workers.”
Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at: https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/
